In the dark of the jungle, amongst the white tigers and giant spiders, sits The Adventurers Club

August 05, 2012

Why aren't Paul Revere and the Raiders in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Anybody that has read this blog over time knows that I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a crock.

Seriously, they put Abba in the HOF before Rush? That is just plain stupid.

I have a lot of complaints about the membership and maybe I'll get to them all, but I want to start with a big influence of mine, Paul Revere and the Raiders. My musical tastes were heavily inspired by the records my sisters bought. These were the first songs I ever played, and I'll never forget the first time I played a Raiders record. It was the single version of Cinderella Sunshine. That song was garage rock, bubblegum pop, punk rock and all mixed in with a cool fuzz guitar. I was hooked.

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Hungry

During my high school and college years I managed to track down all the Raiders albums which was no easy feat. By the time I started collecting them the original band had disbanded and nothing was in print with the exception of a couple of hits collections.

It's easy for someone to dismiss the Raiders because of their stage show or the revolutionary war costumes, but the real truth is in the grooves of those records. Raider music is some of the best American rock cut during the sixties.

Paul Revere and the Raiders - Good Thing

And as for that stage show with the choreographed dancing? The truth is all of the extras, such as the costumes, dancing, standing on the amps and just plain goofiness was part of the act, and the act was to entertain. At heart these guys were entertainers. This entertainment has never truly stopped. Despite the fact that the classic band ultimately disbanded, Paul Revere has NEVER stopped. The Raiders are always out there playing somewhere. Paul Schaffer of the David Letterman show recently called them the Best Show Band of all Time, and Paul is probably right.

So, why do these guys belong in the Rock Hall?

Just listen to the music.

Hungry, Good Thing, Just Like Me, Let Me, Kicks, Steppin' Out, Him or Me, these tunes were classic examples of sixties garage rock. The Raiders were better at it than anybody, but the big difference is they were also popular -- really popular. You see, that whacky stage show and those costumes were noticed by Dick Clark, and Dick put them on TV.

Where the Action Is was on television five days a week, and with all that exposure the Raiders sold tons of records. Because of television they continued to play up the costumes and that high energy stage show, and there's the rub.

Costumed bands don't make the Hall of Fame. KISS anyone?

The television thing hasn't helped either. Monkees?

With two big knocks against them the Raiders have never received serious consideration.

During 1966 the Raiders outsold Bob Dylan, the Byrds, and Barbara Streisand, combined.

I don't know if this will ever change. Dave Clark finally made it because guys like Bruce Springsteen pushed for it. I don't know if anyone is in the Raiders corner. If there is someone out there I hope they step up soon. Drake and Smitty both died in the last ten years, and it'll be a shame if Paul, Mark, Fang, and Harpo don't get to take the stage during the induction ceremony.

Paul Revere and the Raiders play Steppin' Out

The original Raiders reunited

But maybe I'm just dreaming.

After all I'm sure they'll just induct someone else like Abba. Because you know how hard Abba rocks.

'til Paul Revere and Bruce Springsteem play Hungry on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stage.